We have all new developments on the PACKED meeting about a possible HIGH- RISE on YMCA property... It's the Central YMCA on Atkinson... and a lot of neighbors in the area want answers! KITV4's Lara Yamada is JUST BACK from a HEATED HEARING... ...where a number of people were pretty steamed about -- WHAT THEY SAY - is news to them! Lara. Commissioners spent close to a half an hour - in a back and forth with developers - trying to determine if they PROPERLY notified the public about their plans -- saying they got dozens of letters from nearby residents saying they just found out about the possible new development. Developers argued they fulfilled their legal requirements. It's over nearly two acres of property where the YWCA sits right now off Atkinson drive across from Ala Moana Shopping Center. Developers want to RE- ZONE the property so they can build a 350 foot condominium tower. They say a taller, slimmer tower, would mean a smaller foot print, but with more units. In addition, developers would tear-down and rebuild the YWCA -- this time with 3- stories, 30-thousand square feet of space and other amenities. YWCA members are thrilled with the plan, but others in the area say make an already congested traffic area -- way worse. 1820-28 This development allows the YMCA to, one, get a new building, and too remain in this neighborhood which is our primary objective. 655-12 I cross atkinson and walk across all the time as you know honolulu has the highest rate of pedestrian traffic deaths due to vehicular traffic. 1241-50 It's a nightmare. And i have asked my board to give me a starting time of 9am so I'm not stuck there sitting there 4 light cycles. Another concern by some on the planning commission... they say about 10 percent of the land up for redevelopment is undisturbed and with a high probability of Iwi Kupuna -- so they want an archeologist involved. More than 30 people came out to testify -- many in support of the project. In the end, the commission voted UNANYMOUSL Y to approve the plan -- but with some conditions. They must include an archeological survey, a traffic plan, AND two more meetings with community members BEFORE it goes before the city council. Back to